Curtain-retaining device



Aug. 3', 1926.

F. WILT CURTAIN RETAINING DEVICE Filed Dec. 11 1925 INVENTQR.

i LulLT M ZTORNEYS.

Patented Au". 3, 1926.

UNITED :STATES FRED 'WILT, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

CURTAIN-RETAINING DEVICE.

Application filed December 11, 1925. Serial No. 74,853.

This invention relates to improvements in curtain retaining devices and has particular reference to a device to be employed with the ordinary curtain or drapery pole.

The principal object of this invention is to devise means whereby the curtain, such as employed in a doorway may be maintained fully across the door so as to act as a closure therefor, or may be retained partway across the door so as to give access there-through.

Another object is to provide means which is simple in construction and therefore cheap to manufacture.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the curtain may be slid in either direction so as to open the passageway.

A still further object is to provide means whereby the retaining device will be locked in open position irrespective of the manner in which the curtain is handled.

Other objects and advantages will be ap parent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure I is a fragmentary view of a door having a curtain equipped with my device,

Figure II is a fragmentary detail view of one end of a curtain polehaving my curtain retaining device thereon,

Figure III is an enlarged detail crosssectional view showing the manner of lock ing the slider at the central point of the curtain pole, and

Figure IV is a View similar to Figure I, showing the curtain retaining device in a retracted position and having a portion of the curtain cut away so as to better illustrate the invention.

It is common to employ curtains or draperies in the doorway leading to booths and similar enclosures and it often occurs that these curtains must be manipulated many times a day. It is particularly true in restaurants having booths where the waiter is passing in and out on many occasions. Applicant has therefor devised a springlike structure which fits loosely over the pole and is inserted in the customary runway of the curtain. This spring-like structure facilitates the slipping of the curtain upon the pole and at the same time tends to keep .;-the rod 6 and the central portion 7.

'14, I have shown a curtain or drape having the customary hem 16 which forms a runthe curtain stretched entirely across the door opening.

By providingsimple locking mechanism at each end of the spring-like structure, applicant is enabled to re-track the spring-like structure and its curtain so as to give passageway through the door and maintain the same in its re-tracked position until manually released.

In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown-a for the lock, as will be hereinafter described. 7

It is understood that the ends 8 and '9 are secured to the rod 6 in any convenient manner. A spring 13 is introduced between way through the curtain. In this runway I insert a spring-like member 17 which memher is of sufiicient length so that when normally expanded it will reach the entire width of the door. I

To each end of this spring-like member I attach a glider 18 having depending yoke 19. This yoke is provided with inclined sides 21 and 22, while at the bottom is formed an eyelet 23 to which the curtain is attached.

By viewing Figure IV, it will be seen that the distance from the pole to the bottom of the yoke is less than the internal diameter of the spring-like member. This is to permit the spring-like member to pass freely over the latch mechanism above described, while the yoke when brought into contact with the latch mechanism will be retained as shown in Figure IV.

The manner of operating my device is as follows Assuming that the curtain has been provided with my device and is in the position shown in Figure I, the user will grasp the curtain at either edge and move the curtain i such a manner as to provide a passageway through the door. Should he move the curtain from the right, as shown in the drawings, toward the-lett-o'f the door,-thespring-like member will be compressed as shown in Figure 1V, and as soon asthe yoke 19 on the right hand endof the spring .engages the latch mechanism the curtain will be retained in this position. Should the user areless in the manner in Which he moves the curtain to open position, the fact that the yoke 19 is provided-with inclined portions 21 and 22 wiilresult in the glider l9 rotating partly around the .rod and he brought bad" to the vertical position shown in l ligure Hi andconsequentlylocked.

When it is desired to close the curtain the user merely gives a pull on the edge of the curtain sufficient :to release the yoke from the latch mechanism and lets g0. The spring in expanding will carry the curtain cross the rod and entirely close the door. it is obvious that the same procedure may he employed in opening the curtain from thelett hand side of thedrawings.

It will also be. seen that the fact that the spring slides upon the rod gives practically frictionless contact in comparison to the friction contact of the usual materials, and it is much easier to manipulate the curtain.

. t is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is.

' to be taken as preferred example of the spring-like member positioned thereabout, a latch mechanismcentrally positioned ion the rod, said spring-like member being of sufiicient size to pass over said latch mechanism, and a yoke-secured tosaid spring-like member in such a manner as to engage said latch mechanism when said spring is compressed toward, one end, of. said rod.

2. In a'device or the character described, the combination with a-curtain rod having alatch centrally. positioned."thereon, said latch havingfinclined endiportions, asplringlike membersurrounding said rod and said latch mechanism and adapted to freely move thereover, said spring like member being of suflicientilengthto normallyoverlie the entire lengthot said'rod, a ,glider secured to each end of said spring, and a. yoke secured to each of said glidersai id adapted to engage said latch mechanism whensaid spring is compressed toward one :end "of saidrodI 3. In .combination. with..a .curtain ,rod, a latch mechanism centrally positioned on said rod, said latch mechanism havinglinclined end portions, a pair of spacedglidersmounted on said rods, a .yoke.securedtofleach,of said glidersand depending therefronn sa'id yokes having. inclined. sides, means carried by said yoketo secure said yoke to a curtain, a spring-like member surrounding said pole, and said latch mechanism :andhaving its ends secured tosaid glidersifor the purpose specified.

4., The combination with. a curtain-carrying rod, of a contractible spring member positioned on said rod, a latch-member carried by said rod, andn1eans-connected ,to said spring member. and. adapted" to lbe received in the latcl1,.member. upon manual actuation of the curtain.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

I FRED WVILT. 

